The Maldives will enforce all international court orders without exception, including the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan announced Thursday.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ihsan affirmed the Maldives’ commitment to implementing international court rulings, saying, “Maldives will implement the orders of international courts without exception.” He later clarified to local media that Netanyahu would be arrested if he entered the Maldives, in line with the ICC warrant.
The announcement comes amid public discontent over the government’s inaction on its pledge to ban Israeli passport holders, a decision made in June but yet to be legislated. Opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail criticised President Mohamed Muizzu for failing to implement the ban, accusing the administration of exploiting public sentiment without delivering on its commitments.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan sought warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in May for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant as well as Hamas military chief Mohammed Zaif on Thursday following which several nations have affirmed that they will enforce the arrest order should Netanyahu travel to their respective nations.
Government Hypocrisy
Despite holding a parliamentary supermajority, lawmakers aligned with the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) voted against a motion earlier this month to expedite amendments to the Maldives Immigration Act that would enforce the Israeli passport ban. The move has been widely criticised as a betrayal of the government’s publicised support for Palestine.
In June, the government, under public pressure over Israel’s escalating violence in Gaza, announced the ban as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. However, no legislative steps have been taken since. Observers and critics, including Ismail, have called the pledge an empty populist gesture.
“The ICC has been able to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, and yet President Muizzu, with complete control over Maldivian Parliament and his party, is unable to make a decision regarding his stated goal to ban the Israeli passport,” Ismail wrote on X.
Attorney General Ahmed Usham has also drawn criticism for claiming practical challenges in implementing the ban, a concern not raised during the initial announcement. Public confidence in the administration’s sincerity has eroded, with many accusing the government of prioritising optics over meaningful action.
Public Backlash
The Maldives has seen continuous public protests against Israeli violence, with demonstrators demanding stronger government action. Arrests of protestors under public order laws have further strained public trust in the government’s stated solidarity with Palestine.
Adding to the controversy, reports of increased Israeli tourist arrivals this summer have fuelled perceptions of hypocrisy. Critics argue the government is prioritising economic interests while failing to honour its commitments to the Palestinian cause.
Eroding Credibility
The administration’s inconsistent actions and lack of transparency have left the public questioning its credibility. While Minister Ihsan’s statement reinforces the Maldives’ stance on international justice, the government’s inaction on domestic pledges underscores a growing disconnect between its rhetoric and actions.
For now, the fate of the Israeli passport ban remains unclear, with no timeline for legislative action provided. Public demands for accountability continue to mount, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the Muizzu administration’s handling of the issue.
